Johnson, who served a couple of stints as a Falcons assistant coach (2012-14 2008-10), was named to the top position on Tuesday. St. Aug’s 2010 squad won the CIAA championship and earned a top 25 ranking in NCAA Division II. The Falcons went 13-16 last year and finished last in the CIAA South with a 1-9 division record.

“I am honored and humbled while also being appreciative of the opportunity that Saint Augustine’s University (interim) President (Everett B.) Ward and coach (George) Williams have given me,” said Johnson. “I will work diligently and with great passion to take this program to new heights. Our goal will be to recruit young men who not only value the opportunity to play collegiate basketball but also have a sense of urgency in every aspect of winning. When I say winning, I mean on the court, in the community and, most importantly, in the classroom.”

Before returning to St. Augustine’s, Johnson, a Knightdale, N.C., native, was head coach of the Cary Invasion, a semi-professional team that went 22-5 in two seasons and won the Continental Basketball League regular season and tournament championships. He has been an assistant coach at N.C. Central and Shaw. Seven of Johnson's NCCU recruits earned all-CIAA honors, including David Young, who was drafted by the NBA Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder) in 2004. At Shaw, he coached one All-CIAA player.

“He has been a faithful assistant under coach (Lonnie) Blow twice and coach (Tony) Sheals once,” said Williams, St. Augustine’s athletics director. “I think it’s time to give him his due and see where he can take the program. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead.”

Johnson was a team captain for three seasons at NCCU, where he played from 1996-2000 and helped the Eagles to three CIAA division titles.